Sheriff fires Knox Co. jailer accused of assaulting KPD officer

A Knox County jailer charged with assault and vandalism is without a job.

Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones fired Joshua McGill, 23, Thursday morning.

McGill is charged with vandalizing a police car and assaulting an officer early Thursday morning.

Police said a KPD officer arrived at a Fort Sanders neighborhood apartment parking lot to check out complaints of a man vandalizing vehicles around 12:15 a.m.

When officers arrived at the Crowne Apartments parking lot, police reported that McGill intentionally knocked the driver side mirror off his K-9 police car.

Police said when the officer tried to arrest McGill, who was visibly intoxicated, McGill resisted arrest and tried to hit the officer in the face. After a brief struggle, officers arrested McGill.

McGill received some minor cuts and scrapes during the struggle. Paramedics treated him on the scene.

Officers arrested McGill on charges of assault, misdemeanor vandalism, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication. He was released around 4 a.m. after posting a $1,000 bond.

McGill has three days to appeal his termination under Merit Council rules.

He was hired as a corrections officer on July 5, 2011. The sheriff's office reported that his employment file shows he received a good evaluation.

McGill's file contained two counseling forms. One April 5, 2012, he was cautioned about leaving two inmates together who had previously been involved in a fight. Another form from April 24, 2012 reported that McGill brought smokeless tobacco with him to the detention facility, which is against Sheriff's Office policy and procedure.